Come on ! Come on.
Out quickly !
Sound the alarm !
THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES
What a grand composition, Lisipo. You think so ?
Divine inspiration.
You like it ?
I love beautiful things.
There's plenty of that here. That's why I invited you to Rhodes.
After a war, there's nothing better than the Isle of Peace.
And this scent, what is it ?
Roses, my dear nephew.
Rhodes is the island of roses.
And of beautiful women, from what I see.
You see Dario, here women exude a certain fragrance.
They're made from,
flower petals, sea bubbles and of...
Meat ?
At my age, it's a useless element.
Long live Xerxès ! Long live...
In time to come, this lamp of eternal light will remember your name Chares.
Your work will be a witness for all future generations
de la puissance de Xerxès.
Rhodes will rule the seas.
The ceremony doesn't seem to please the gods.
This colossal work seems to defy their power.
You worry for nothing.
The gods can only rejoice for a monument erected to their glory.
And to the glory of the king of Rhodes.
To you,
Apollo, sun god,
we dedicate this superb effigy,
born of the divine spirit of our king
and by the silent effort of its faithful people.
May the sacred fire burn on this elevated altar in full sky.
May he be a guide to all who sail the night,
and a terrible menace to the enemies of Rhodes.
Burn sacred fire ! May your flame be eternal,
like the glory of Xerxes.
Long live Xerxes !
Your island of peace is eventful !
The whole world does not have my spirit of philosophy.
True enough...
Why didn't he speak to anyone about it ?
He could have at least confided in me.
Poor guy !
Why did he do such a thing ?
So you see, Mirte,
our brother is dead so we can continue the struggle.
If the people of Rhodes are reduced to slavery,
if they pour their sister and their blood
for the disproportionate intentions of its king,
it's because no one has shown them how to die for freedom.
It's true.
But the people of Rhodes need arms,
more than they need the dead.
Greece is our friend.
Let's ask for help.
Greece is too far from here.
She won't take care of us.
In this case,
let's seek the help of an influential person.
Lisipo's nephew that was accompanying him.
Isn't he an Athenian general ?
We can try to talk to him.
My brothers, would you like that I go ?
No, not you.
They know the four of us
too well.
Does this game amuse you that much ?
Maybe it's not a game.
Thar... do you think the splendor of our court is pleasing,
to the ambassador of Phoenicia ?
He seems to be enjoying it.
However, sire, your great wealth could propagate ill will... envy.
And you ? Do you envy me ?
I admire you.
My profound loyalty to you only permits me one emotion, that of great admiration.
It's undeniable that you know how to distract yourself here.
My mother was right, this island has a way of enchanting people.
Your mother came from Rhodes ?
And she should have stayed.
What enthusiasm from the part of a foreigner !
Only half a foreigner.
I already feel as if I know many people here.
For example, see that man over there.
The one who's faking indifference.
He's been following me
since I left the palace.
It is rare to meet an Athenian hero.
You may have also noticed the look women have given you.
I only noticed that...
you never looked at me.
Maybe it's because I'm not used to heroes.
That falls well !
I left the Athenian army a month ago.
So, if you prefer ordinary men...
An ordinary man is very little.
But a hero, is a little too much.
Drinking together...
almost always starts or ends a meeting.
What do you choose ?
Drinking.
I'm thirsty.
Taste this nectar my king.
Made with care by your humble servants.
Such devotion deserves a reward.
Have him sip it first.
Drink.
I said drink !
In Rhodes, drinking seems to be risky !
Not necessarily my nephew.
But you should never be the first to drink.
May the festivities continue !
Excuse my curiosity...
After the poisoned poisoner. Is it the lions ?
I don't know the program.
I hope not.
It would be dangerous for the lions.
Was that the first dead person you've seen ?
The second in a day. In times of peace, it is too much.
How does one distract you ?
By getting out of here with me.
Noble Dario, I have an important thing...
Me too. Let's postpone it 'til tomorrow if you'd like.
Nice.
What a fantastic garden !
It is true that nature beautifies the presence of a woman.
Besides a hero, you're also a poet !
I will be even more wary then.
Not more than now. Even here.
You avoid even my look.
What ?
Aren't you conquered by my glance ?
Do Athenian women find it irresistible ?
Not all. Some haven't forgiven me.
Which ?
Simply...
because of having waited too long.
Diala !
There's the entire dynasty !
Diala ?
Dario !
Hémon.
Cleo.
Nestor.
Géryon.
This one has no name.
Artidoro.
Philéon. Dario !
Excuse me. It was you !
Had you already forgotten me ?
I followed you this far, isn't that enough ?
Are you testing my tenacity ?
Why have you come here ?
It is a peaceful place to talk.
But your eloquence has disappeared.
It's being close to you that leaves me without a voice
and cuts my breath.
So move away.
How could I ?
You tell me to go away
and your eyes say the opposite.
And my mouth ?
Your mouth...
Diala.
You'll be in good company !
Good company, for sure.
The Phoenician king's proposal is quite wise.
with our two populations united we'll succeed in dominating the seas.
And what will Athens say about our alliance with its enemies ?
Athens...
We have a natural bond with Greece.
But before thinking about Greece, let's think about Rhodes.
Thanks to our Colossus, our port is the most protected.
Our interest is to arbitrate
the ships of all countries,
especially Phoenician.
It'll suffice to let Athens know that its fleet
will be attacked by our Phoenician allies !
Do you think the Greeks will be fooled easily ?
Come in.
Excuse me.
I thought this door allowed one to exit the basement.
And how did you get in ?
Get in ? I would rather say I fell in.
You see I had my hands against the wall
when suddenly, it moved.
And I found myself on the other side.
Or rather...
this side.
Alright, I was following a woman.
That way, you'll be able to join her.
Thanks. I hope you can accept...
my apologies.
Do you think that Greek man was spying on us ?
Maybe.
But it can be easily checked out.
He can't leave the island.
No ship can leave the port without my permission.
There is too much agitation in Rhodes,
we must be prudent.
Let's get back to our plan.
This part of the island is impregnable.
The only access is the port.
Our ships will get refuge by the booty
The colossus will protect them from all those that follow it.
This site, Rhodes, is invaluable.
In exchange for your hospitality we will offer you half the loot.
Half ?
The Xenon offer is wise and good.
I accept, but on one condition :
not more than 2 ships at a time
and never with more than 200 men.
Or else one can believe that Rhodes has fallen
under Phoenician domination
if you have too many soldiers here.
That's right.
I accept in the name of the good-will of Phoenicians and their king.
Did you speak to him ?
The Greek is too occupied.
A woman...
I'll try again tomorrow.
No.
We have no time to waste.
Thanks all the same, Theocle.
Go back and have fun, you have taken risks.
Let's go.
Lovely company, the one that made you leave the party.
Carete's daughter, fascinating and unpredictable.
He made me more nervouse in one hour than the campaign against Persia.
If she managed to impress you, she must be really exceptional.
And without even giving me more than a smile.
But who doesn't give nothing imediatly, gives more after.
At your age you can only suffer becouse of women.
At mine, the suffering is that women don't make us suffer anymore.
Carete and his daughter are Greeks, aren't they ?
No. They are from Lydia.
I thought only a Greek mind could have created such a beautiful work of art.
Oh, you mean the Colossus or Diala ?
Bloody lightnings !
God's anger may be justified, but there's no need for such manifestation.
Don't tell me you are afraid !?
My dear nephew, you don't know what a storm on this island can mean.
It's like it wants to sink it with every thunder on the bottom of the sea.
Becouse of it's location, Rhodes is at elements's mercy.
Do you know wich is the best remedy agains thunders ?
The sleeping.
I suppose you're right.
Well, thanks to my architect, my room is better protected than most.
Get on.
Climb !
Damn it !
You are right, sleep is healing.
As you say but we must find it...
Now we can even have the end of the world...
Besides, I'm not a hero like you.
And such, i have the right to be afraid of everything.
It's not about being a hero.
In fact, talking about this thunder
I owe a debt of gratitude to lightning.
At the Lysos battle I won Calimac
thanks to the lightning that struck it.
I could see its head when my arm-
Come with us !
What do you want ?
We must discuss important matters.
- Come on. - This way.
- We won't hurt you. - Unless you force us to.
We don't want to harm you
in any way.
I have no choice.
Let's go quickly.
We're done for !
Leave him there. Let's go !
Dario... Dario... Dario...
What happened ?
If Rhodes is the island of peace,
I prefer war.
Hey you.
Who are those people ?
Macedonian slaves captured in Persia.
Now unfortunately Rhodes doesn't have enough manpower to build such grandiose monuments.
I see.
Is it him ?
I'm looking for a boat to Greece.
No one can leave unless we get orders.
I must get home.
It's the king's order.
And if I offered twice the price ?
You'd be better off leaving now.
Fine.
- Let's go. - You, stay here.
No, I'm going.
I was given this job. A man can awake his suspicions.
Gather around, my dear friends of Rhodes.
With the last Oriental ship,
I have brought to your splendid island,
one of the most prized treasures of the region.
Where science and elegance
do not surpass yours. Here !
My brothers, the sacred oriental birds.
They have hard beaks like metal,
they are tender like lambs,
and faithful like dogs.
Your humble servant
has tamed them for you.
They will ferociously guard your homes.
In the heart of the night
they will chase away evil spirits
which will bother you no more.
Were you looking for someone ?
I would like you to follow me.
Fine, you have convinced me.
And now ?
I can grant one of your wishes.
Which one ?
I have many.
I noticed at the port that you tried to leave.
I know people who own a boat.
And the price ?
It is equal to the risk.
I'd rather avoid risks.
I'd go to the court and my rights.
You can always try.
Tonight, at the port, a man will light a torch.
Follow him.
- Bye. - Wait !
See you soon.
If it is realized this weapon should make us invincible.
Invincible ?
Our ancestors also thought that with their rock-made axes.
We build on sand believing a wave longer than the others
will erase our tracks.
But the colossus will remain, as well as your genius.
If only, this would make someone happy...
All of Rhodes is very proud.
And Diala, your daughter, is as proud of you.
Of me ?
Money and honors which she draws from my inventions.
What are you saying ?
When her mother entrusted her to me,
I promised I would love her like my own daughter.
I believe to have been a true father.
But the blood ties...
not even a genius as you call me,
could create them when they don't exist.
Dario, I hope that your young defiance will last longer than the sad humor of Careti.
At the port I was prohibited to leave Rhodes. Why ?
Rhodes needs to keep a host of your quality.
Host or prisoner ?
Big words, Dario.
I do not care about your political issues.
I came to Rhodes to rest, not to defend myself for aggressions.
Aggression ?
From whom ?
I don't know, but last night, at my place...
I will leave Rhodes anyway.
All boats that leave may be hiding an enemy.
Not even for you can we take that risk !
Fine.
Then, I'll do it my way.
Look, my lady.
Dario !
The conquering hero honors us with a visit.
A short visit.
My stay in Rhodes ended.
Something disappointed you here ? Something or someone ?
On the contrary.
My visit was brief but exciting.
It's awful that I love to play jokes on men.
I beg you to forgive it.
You don't think I'm leaving Rhodes because you forced me
to explore the underground passages of the palace, do you ?
It's just that I'm anxious to breathe the air of my own country.
But...
boarding are canceled.
So they say.
I have been waiting for you for a long time.
Follow me.
Here's the boat. Climb in.
Welcome aboard.
Thank you. When do we leave ?
We're waiting for a friend's signal.
Who's over there ?
Who are you ?
Women scare you ?
What do you want from here ?
Someone to keep me company.
Stop !
Quickly, the signal ! Not loudly !
- Okay, all's fine. - Row.
I hope that there are no more guards.
Have you spoken to the Greek ?
No, we'll talk to him in full sea.
Take in the oars.
Quickly !
In the water, quick !
Come on ! Quickly !
Now I understand why you were in such a hurry to get on.
Is it for this ?
What is it ?
You know it quite well.
It is useless to continue lying.
You sold yourself to the enemies of the king,
to traitors who defy the king's power in Rhodes.
You were going to take the message to Athens.
To peddle their false charges near the archons
and to lead to a declaration of war.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I just wanted to get back home.
This message states slander against us.
They accuse us as corrupt thieves...
as if we would be the oppressors of the people.
But these lies are already enough to condemn you,
even without knowing their goal.
I'll say it again, I have nothing to do with any of this.
Your own accomplices will accuse you.
They are the boat's sailors.
The boat's sailors or your accomplices ?
And him, don't you recognize him ?
Not at all.
Then I must present you to him.
Péliocle.
The elder of the family and the head of the rebels.
It is him which carried the message proving your treachery.
He is innocent.
Don't place your anger on him.
I will succeed in making you acknowledge.
Deliver your accomplices to me and tell me where they're hiding !
You'll never find out.
Start.
These vibrations, if continued would shatter his eardrums.
However, I don't want him deaf just yet.
Pull it up.
Arouse him, guard.
I command you to talk.
- I'll get him to talk. - No, it's a waste of time...
to try to get anything out of these jackals.
See that they're all kept in chains, while I go and prepare for their execution.
Chios slaves.
We'll have new people to buy at the market.
Yeah right ! They'll keep them for themselves just like the others.
- Wait for me at the cave. - What are you going to do ?
Perhaps they'll take them to the same dungeon as our brothers.
I doubt it.
It's worth a try.
And for Dario too, don't you think ?
Just try to find our brothers, Mathos.
Welcome, Sirion.
I knew that you and your men would come.
Sirion is a great warrior,
one of our best chiefs.
And he turned under my kicks like he really barely endured pain.
Because once the pain was true.
You're hands were to strong to manage gently the whip.
I even saw your people feeling moved by our suffering.
Rhodesians are naive,
as much as their king.
They are convinced that their island is impregnable.
The colossus stops attacks from coming in.
Unfortunately the attackers are already in.
Yes, but it wasn't the moment fof let everyone to know.
You'll have to be patient
and hide among the other slaves who have preceded you.
When Rhodes is in our hands, your wait will be compensated.
I assure you that it won't be long.
Follow me.
Pentheocle.
What happened ?
The council has decided
to sacrifice all the prisoners in two days.
All of them ? Péliocle, Créonte ?
All of them.
Impossible !
The king want to set an example for all citizens of Rhodes.
There's no more hope.
What can we do ?
I still don't know.
Follow me.
Dario.
You wait there.
The king has authorized me to see you.
You can save your own life.
How ?
By giving out the others names and their hide-out.
I don't know anything, at all.
I already told Thyréon.
And then...
Even if I knew I wouldn't say anything.
But why ?
Why sacrifice yourself for these bandits ?
For what purpose ?
I don't think that it is they who are the bandits.
But I...
I don't want you to die.
Bye, Diala.
Forward !
Guards !
Shoot !
Watch out, Coros !
Let's get out of here !
Before their reinforcements come !
Let's take the horses !
Let's go !
- Lisipo ! - Get on and say nothing.
Let's not lose time !
Is there something wrong ?
At least today you should't be sad.
Everything seemed lost.
But instead we are all saved.
What should I say ?
Just because I have pursued you to the market,
I find myself in this situation ?
I'm sorry !
But we needed a greek
who spoke in our favor to Athene.
A greek...
Then I or another,
it be the same.
I didn't say that !
You risked your life like my four brothers.
But... maybe,
for you, all this is just an adventure.
A dangerous game
to tell your friends at returning in Athens.
I didn't came looking for adventure, I was came to rest !
It would be so nice to be at peace !
It would be great !
The only beautiful memories are from my childhood.
So far away...
It does't even seem to be true.
There are times,
when I'm afraid.
A strong fear !
You have to know to expect
the future.
All that it was...
I'm sure you'll be happy.
And beside you, the man you will love
or you love already
if there is any.
Are you sure about this ?
Yes, I saw hundreds of Phoenicians.
the undergrounds are full of them !
Thyréon wants to sell our country to foreigners.
The power given to him by Xerxès is no longer enough.
He wants to sell the island to the Phoenicians and be named its king.
Quickly ! Let's do all that is needed.
It'll be suicide.
Then ?
We must get in the Colossus.
It's impenetrable !
No-one's succeeded.
And even if it were possible ?
An iron grid closes the caves
where Rhodes'best men are being held.
But it opens with a wheel that is inside the Colossus,
that's what you told me.
Exactly.
By being involved it while it was built,
I saw the mechanism that Chares made.
Those who built it were killed right after.
to keep it a secret.
So the wheel exists.
We must find it to free all the prisoners.
And attack with them the Thyréon troupes
by surprise.
The five which will draw shortest
will try tomorrow.
I will be leading them.
That's suicide.
Colossus is a huge trap.
Every detail has been studied for years to make it impregnable.
How can you hope to break into it with a few men ?
We don't have other choise.
Beside, only six people will risk their life !
Each of them knows and accepts the huge risk.
Without any hope of coming out alive ?
Perhaps.
To bring peace to our people...
it's worth more than the six of our lives.
You ?
I already thought you were far away from Rhodes.
The Thyréon guards are looking for you.
I doubt they'll look for me here.
You really don't lack courage.
You did all this...
Why ?
Was your desire to see me that strong ?
Diala.
I must see your father.
It's very important.
My father ?
What's it about ?
Saving Rhodes.
Thyréon is a traitor.
He's hiding Phoenician soldiers on the temple.
It's impossible !
The king blocked the port !
Thyréon is malicious.
He let the soldiers in disguised as slaves.
That's absurd !
Nevertheless it's the truth.
We can still stop them.
What can my old father possibly do ?
Chares knows the Colossus'secrets.
He can help us turn over the situation.
But he's not here. He usually works late in the Colossus until dawn.
Yes, but...
May I see him ?
I need to talk to him.
They'll soon be the changing the guards.
Left side. Wait for me there.
I'll let you in.
You're taking a risk.
Isn't it about saving Rhodes ?
You'll see all we go well.
So then promise me one thing.
If there's the smallest of danger hide yourself somewhere safe
and warn Péliocle.
He's in the rock desert caves.
As you wish.
See you soon.
Dario...
Dario, I...
Here's the Colossus's chest.
It's extraordinary !
And these strange machines what are they for ?
So that we can sleep soundly.
Soundly...
and hot !
Stop !
It's for the dungeons, they'll find us.
Always following women ?
Get him !
- That dog escaped by jumping in the water. - Idiots !
He fooled you like children.
You're right.
But you know, Diala,
it was nevertheless a fruitful day.
The Greek and his friends won't be long.
What a great idea, you accompanied him
so he wouldn't be suspicious.
I really feared that he would see my father.
That old fool would have listened to him.
Soon Rhodes will be in our power.
Without any obstacles in our way.
No.
There is one left.
That old fool
who believed to have been working for the good of humanity.
But he wasn't aware that
he was forging chains to imprison them.
But I can still break them.
And build others for you.
Now for sure there won't be any more obstacles.
Mirte !
You hide your game perfectly.
You can feel satisfied.
What do you mean ?
Thanks to your information Thyréon has exterminated them by surprise !
My brothers and your uncle Lisipo
were made prisoners
and will be offered to the circus this very evening.
But...
you don't think-
... that you're a traitor ?
Only you knew the path to here.
Mirte followed you to dear Chares.
You will pay dearly for this.
Coros !
Everything is ready.
Come on ! Hurry !
People of Rhodes !
Listen to me !
A terrible danger threatens your life and your freedom.
A group of traitors has left the island to a foreign army.
Hordes of Phoenician soldiers
are already inside the city.
Ready to attack.
How dare you talk of treason ?
Let's go, Xerxès.
The treason happened in your palace.
The colossus that you built shelters the traitors.
Ready to overthrow the thrown,
and to seize the island wealth,
and to impose a foreign control.
Just until my last breath...
Over there, quickly !
Let's go !
Stop !
Without weapons it would be suicide !
The people are with us.
It is not an army, we are too few.
Our hope is the Colossus' prisoners.
Let's try to get out of here !
- Peliocle ! - Mirte !
Finally !
- How do we get out of here ? - Like this my brothers !
Peliocle !
Quickly, take those horses !
You've helped us enough. Think of your safety.
My safety ?
Where ? How ?
I know a secret entrance to the Colossus.
I know how to open the dungeons.
Go to the undergorund and wait for my signal.
May the Olympus gods protect you...
General !
May they protect you too.
May I come with you ?
The signal.
The circus signal.
Answer immediately.
The situation now seems to be to our favor.
It's true.
The circus plan worked.
The colossus is in our hands.
Wait for the Phonecian fleet
who will enter the port without obstructions.
We should see the first ships arrive at dawn.
Thyréon, as a perfect strategist, foresaw everything.
My mission stops here.
Good luck, future queen of Rhodes.
Up.
Get in, quickly !
You two, with me !
Stay here !
Quickly, in !
This is the wheel ! Let's hope that Peliocle has arrived.
Let's go !
Look out ! The soldiers !
Out ! Out. Quickly !
Pay attention to the gate !
This time it's over for you Greek.
- Kill him ! - Stop !
It'd be too easy for him.
And later, we'll have more time.
Good, here...
With this log we will drive out the Phoenicians.
What about Coros and Dario ?
Let's go !
Quickly.
Tie him up.
Your friends want to visit us.
Let's accommodate them like they should be.
Load the catapults !
Go !
Come on. A few more shots !
Adjust the distance to its minimum.
Shoot !
Quickly let's get to those houses !
Shoot !
Peliocle, we must do something !
No, not now.
First we must let everyone into the houses.
Come into safety.
Our friends seem opposed.
The reception did not seem to please them.
Take care of the injured !
But we can not do anything against these catapults.
No we must stay here.
We'll get them when they get out of that damned Colossus.
They'll have no choice
or they'll starve to death.
Peliocle !
Creonte !
The Phoenicians ! The Phoenicians !
What ? Where ?
The Phoneician fleet is in sight !
- It'll be here before dawn. - It's over !
Not even the Gods can save us !
Gather them all !
Barricade the city !
A superb fleet !
Invincible would be the right word.
Your country is powerful.
Rhodes will use it as an example.
Certainly.
An earthquake !
Let's get down !
- Wait ! - Get back to your posts !
It's already over.
But the colossus really moved.
Stop !
Make space ! Move !
Let me through !
If you go out they will kill you !
Look how they running away...
Cowards !
They will all get themselves killed.
And you, aren't you scared ?
Come on, run ! Abandon me too.
You should know me.
Maybe they are trying to reach the boats !
Yes, the boats !
Yes, I'll join them too.
Is that the master of your destiny ?
Let's attack them !
You are left alone, Diala.
Now you should kill me.
In Athens, women gather flowers.
Let's try to get out of here.
I don't even feel pain.
No doubt death is approaching.
I'll get some help.
You'll be out of danger.
You see...
I wanted so many things.
I'm dying without even having had one.
You're not an ordinary woman.
When I was little,
I also picked flowers,
like Athenian women.
Dario ! Watch out !
Help !
Help me !
- Where ? - Inside.
Calm down !
Stay here.
Dario, quickly ! Everything is breaking down !
Dario, you're alive !
- Come ! - Not there, over here, quick.
To the eastern door, quickly !
Take her. Let's go.
Look. The horses !
Quickly. To the rock desert !
Come on !
Climb up !
I thought I'd never see you again.
- And you, how are you ? - Fine, but I'm in such a state !
Always running after women ?
Yes but from now on,
I'll only be interested in one woman.
Forever.
Men often make such promises.
But in the present case,
you have good reasons to keep them.
Are you going to Athens ?
No, we're staying in Rhodes.
In Rhodes ?
Yes, there's plenty to do here now.
Is the island of peace, isn't it ?
THE END